INSECT BITE PREVENTION - Husky Health & Well-Being

INSECT BITE PREVENTION
WHY PREVENT INSECT BITES?
Avoiding insect bites while traveling is vital for prevention of malaria, dengue fever,
Zika and other serious diseases. Protect yourself both day and night from insect
bites.

TIPS FOR AVOIDING INSECT BITES
   > Use insect repellents on your skin (see below)
   > Learn about the feeding and nesting habits of insects at your destination. Ask
      your hosts about seasonal or local pests.
   > Wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and hats.
      Consider permethrin treated clothing-see information below.
   > Do not walk barefoot
   > Sleep in well-screened areas, air-conditioned rooms or use (mosquito)
      netting around your bed
   > Clothing and bed nets may be treated with permethrin insecticide prior to
      travel
   > Avoid using products that contain fragrances as they may attract insects

INSECT BEHAVIORS & HABITS
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are most likely to bite at dawn and dusk, however:
   > Mosquito species that carry malaria and Japanese encephalitis
       bite from dusk until dawn (nighttime)
   > Species that carry dengue fever, chikungunya fever, Zika, and
       yellow fever bite during the day (daytime)

Ticks
    >   Ticks transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and African tick bite fever by
        burrowing into your skin
   >    Humans pick up ticks from brush, grass, and trees. Animals,
        including dogs, also carry ticks.
   >    In a tick-infected area, check your skin at least once daily,
        especially along your hairline and armpits
   >    Remove ticks with tweezers or a tick removal tool. Use slow, steady pressure
        to remove. Pull perpendicular to the skin at the site of the attachment. Do
        not use a match to remove ticks.

Appointments: 206.685.1011

Flies
Black fly
Black flies and bite throughout the day and can transmit serious
disease, such as river blindness (onchocerciasis)

Sand fly
           Sandflies are activing at night and can transmit a disease called
           Leishmaniasis.

Tsetse fly
Tsetse flies can transmit African Sleeping Sickness (African
trypanosomiasis) and are active during the daytime

           PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM BUGS
           The following products are used to avoid insect bites and can be purchased
           at the any pharmacy, including the Hall Health Pharmacy, along with
           outdoor supply stores.

DEET (N,N-diethylmetatoluamide)
   > Controlled-release lotion formulations of DEET have a long and safe track
      record
   > DEET is the most effective repellent against mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks, fleas
      and biting flies
   > Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth, and synthetic materials. DEET is toxic if
      swallowed.
   > The CDC suggests use of 30-50% controlled-release DEET concentrations for
      adults
   > Concentrations up to 30% are considered safe for children two months and
      older
   > Strengths greater than 50% do not provide better protection but may last
      longer. These are not generally recommended.
   > DEET can damage plastics

Appointments: 206.685.1011

Brands                 > 3M Ultrathon® (34% DEET) lotion
                        > Cutter Backwoods® (40% DEET) pump spray or aerosol
                        > Off! Deep Woods V® (25% DEET) pump spray or
                           aerosol
                        > Sawyer® Controlled-Release (20-30% DEET) lotion
 Effective against      Mosquitoes, ticks, flies, sandflies, chiggers, fleas, midges
 Duration               Varies by brand, 6-13 hours
 Children               2 months or older
 Pregnancy              > Use during 1st trimester in high-risk areas.
                        > Considered safe in 2nd and 3rd trimester
 Pros                   Most studied repellant; low risk
 Cons                   > May have oily texture, strong smell
                        > May damage plastics & synthetics

PICARIDIN (KBR3023)
   > Picaridin is available in concentrations
      from 7-20%
   > Often as effective as DEET but need more
      frequent application
   > Pleasant smell
   > Less skin irritation than DEET
   > Does not damage plastic

 Brands                 >  Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus® pump spray or
                           aerosol (10% picaridin)
                        > Cutter Advanced® wipes (5.75% picaridin)
                        > Sawyer® aerosol (20% picaridin)
                        > Natrapel Eco-Spray® (20% picaridin)
 Effective against      Mosquitoes, ticks, flies
 Duration               5-12 hours per application
 Children               Depends on brand; 2 months or older
 Pregnancy              Not studied in pregnancy; use if traveling to high-risk
                        areas
 Pros                   Pleasant smell; less skin irritation than DEET; does not
                        damage plastic or synthetics
 Cons                   > Shorter duration of protection
                        > Limited data on safety

Appointments: 206.685.1011

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (PMD or citriodiol)
          >    Approved by EPA and CDC as a “biopesticide repellant”
          >    Pleasant smell
          >    Less skin irritation than DEET
          >    Does not damage plastic

 Brands                >  Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus® aerosol or pump spray
                          (30% oil of lemon eucalyptus)
                       > Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus® pump spray
                          (30% oil of lemon eucalyptus)
 Effective against     Mosquitoes, ticks, flies, midges
 Duration              4-6 hours per application
 Children              3 years and older. Do not use on infants.
 Pregnancy             Not studied in pregnancy; use if traveling to high-risk
                       areas
 Pros                  Pleasant smell; less skin irritation than DEET; does not
                       damage plastic or synthetics
 Cons                  > Shorter duration of protection
                       > Limited data on safety

Permethrin
   > Permethrin is a synthetic version of a substance found in chrysanthemums
      called pyrethrum
   > It effectively repels and kills insects with direct contact
   > Permethrin is available as a spray for clothing and as a liquid for
      soaking clothing or bed nets
   > Generally, permethrin is effective for six washes. If clothing is
      ironed after application, permethrin can last up to 12 washings.
   > Pre-treated clothing and bed nets are available

 Brands                >    Sawyer Clothing, Gear and Tents® trigger spray,
                            pump spray and aerosol (0.5% permethrin)
                       > Insect Shield® pump spray (0.5% permethrin)
 Effective against     Mosquitoes, ticks, flies, sandflies, chiggers, fleas,
                       midges, mites, lice
 Duration              6 washings with spray, 12 washings with spray &
                       ironing, 70 washings with clothes treated by Insect
                       Shield®
 Children              No restrictions
 Pregnancy             No restrictions
 Pros                  Odorless, invisible & long-lasting
 Cons                  Will wash out over time; low risk of skin rash

Appointments: 206.685.1011

Mosquito nets (bed nets)
If you are traveling to a high-risk area, consider using a mosquito or bed net to
protect yourself while you sleep. You can purchase mosquito nets online.

                 BEE STINGS
                 Talk to your provider if you are allergic to bee stings. Consider
                 carrying an antihistamine such as Benadryl® and/or hydrocortisone
                 cream. If you have a history of a severe reaction to bee stings, carry
                 epinephrine, such as an Epipen®.

Appointments: 206.685.1011